Fuck-knuckles, cock and piss, balls does not breach BSA guidelines

• mickysavage
• 3 years ago
• Categories: human rights, Media, social media lolz, the praiseworthy and the pitiful, uncategorized

I have listened to 95bfm for many, many years.  One part of their broadcasts that always brought a smile to my face was their reference to the ability to make complaints to the Broadcasting Standards Authority which was then followed by a very young Jeremy Wells [my bad it was actually Joel Tobeck] saying in a very  serious tone the words “fuck-knuckles, cock and piss, balls”.

The reference was obviously satirical and obviously the laying down of a challenge to someone to lay a BSA complaint.

After a number of years someone did.

Thankfully the BSA showed that it has a sense of humour and turned the complaint down.

The first paragraph of the decision has a decidedly Monty Pythonesque ring to it:

A segment on 95bFM included a broadcaster publicity notice followed by a list of swear words:

“At this radio station we do our utmost to abide by the Broadcasting Standards Authority and their rules and guidelines.

If you seriously think we’ve crossed the line on air, give us a call on 309 4831 and tell us about it. We’ll be able to help you out and tell you the procedure if you wish to make a formal complaint to the Broadcasting Standards Authority.

Fuck-knuckles, cock and piss, balls.

Thank you.”

The complainant, a Mr Evans, made a complaint in these terms:

• ‘I wish to complain about a regular announcement played on 95bFM radio for the past few years… after three years, I can take no more and will make a formal complaint in the hope that a) you might stop playing it and b) you might learn something helpful in broadcasting to a wide spectrum of listeners.’
• ‘The announcement (ironically) informs listeners about the BSA standards and the complaints process. What I find offensive are the words “fuck-knuckles, cock and piss—balls”, spoken at the end of the announcement.’
• ‘These are not just naughty words…they create unpleasant mental images of a sexual nature. Also, I find the word “fuck” offensive when it is used without any context, and especially in combination with ”knuckles”…’
• ‘Further to this, I am of the opinion that your announcement is antagonistic to the BSA and its purpose. It seems to “raise the finger” at the BSA in what I see as a juvenile attempt at humour.’

I am not sure where the complainant has been.  I seem to recall the advertisement being broadcast a couple of decades ago, always smiling and wondering when someone would complain.  After reading the decision I see that it was first broadcast 25 years ago.

I am also not sure if the complaint was serious or satire.

The Authority has ruled that context is all important as is the likely targeted market and university students should not be too offended by this sort of language.  Clearly the minimum standard expected of a Student Radio Station is different to that expected from kid’s television.

[10]  We have considered the relevant contextual factors, including:

• 95bFM is an alternative independent radio station, located at Auckland University city campus and owned by the Auckland University Students’ Association Media Trust.
• 95bFM’s target and likely audience is young adults who are university students.
• The segment complained about has been part of 95bFM’s brand and broadcast media for 25 years. It is also featured on its popular clothing merchandise. Therefore, the continued broadcast of this segment is expected and possibly supported by its listeners.
• The swear words used in the segment are not used in an aggressive or sexually graphic manner, and do not carry any discernible meaning as a combination of words, but are being used satirically.

[11]  In light of these contextual factors, and particularly 95bFM’s target and intended audience and its expectations of the radio station, we consider the segment was unlikely to cause widespread undue offence or distress or undermine widely shared community standards.

I am pleased that the complaint failed.  And I look forward to many more years of smiling when I hear these words uttered immediately after information from 95bfm on how to complain to the BSA.